A Device For Hip Extension Assessment Or Exercises

ABSTRACT

A device for hip extension assessment or exercises, comprising a base, an upper body or back rest, a bar spaced horizontally from the upper body rest by a distance equivalent to a user&#39;s torso, the bar comprising a resistance mechanism, wherein the mechanism provides and measures resistance acting vertically at the bar.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is the U.S. National Stage application of International Application No. PCT/EP2021/065723, filed Jun. 10, 2021, which claims the benefit of priority from GB Application No. 2008763.1, filed Jun. 10, 2020. The entire contents of these prior applications are incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a device for hip extension assessment, training or exercises.

BACKGROUND

Increasing numbers of people are becoming cognisant of the various benefits of differing exercise regimes and targeting muscle groups and bodily areas.

For example hip thrusts are a targeted exercise that strengthens gluteus maximus to help performance of high intensity movement such as sprint-acceleration, change of direction and jumping. In addition, isolating the hip extensor muscles may also help in the prevention of several injuries, hamstring strains being one of them.

The hips contain many muscles and each of these muscles has some specific roles, but overall, the hip muscles stabilize the pelvis and thighbone and allow bending at the hips, lift legs out to the side (abduct), and bringing legs back in toward one another (adduct). Hip muscles also assist with internal and external rotation.

Hip extension strength measurements are perceived as key in assessing the effectiveness of such exercises and overall fitness. However it can be difficult to obtain reliable measurements, particularly in reference to variants of hip, knee and joint angles.

US 2016 0 354 627 (CYGAN et al) discloses a contralateral hip and hamstring training device which mimics the body position and biomechanics of walking/running is provided. When using the training device, a user is positioned in a partially supported lunge with the front hip flexed just above 90 degrees and the back hip extended to at least neutral at the hip by use of an incline bench or seat pad with no seat back.

US 2016 0 184 629 (HORNBACK) discloses a hip thrust exercise machine comprising a base frame adapted to be supported on a floor, the base frame having a head end and a foot end spaced apart from the head end, a upper body support coupled to the base frame at the head end of the base frame and adapted to support elbows of a user above the base frame, and a foot support spaced from the upper body support and coupled to the base frame at the foot end of the base frame to define an exercise space between the upper body support and the foot support.

WO 2008 112 110 (BARENBOYM et al) discloses an isometric strength testing device includes a base for selectively supporting either a chair or a wheelchair for the subject to be tested. A pair of limb supports are positioned on the base, one to immobilize an arm and the other a leg of the subject. Each support includes a band carrying a load cell for generating a signal measurement of the force applied to the cell.

The present invention arose in order to overcome problems suffered by existing devices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention there is provided a device for hip extension assessment and training, comprising a base, an upper body rest, a bar spaced horizontally from the rest by a distance equivalent to a user's torso, the bar is connected to a resistance mechanism, wherein the mechanism provides and measures a force acting vertically on the bar.

It may be envisaged that the bar is located at a horizontal remove from the upper body rest, intermediate the base for example. This means for example that a user may be enabled to place part of the body on the upper body rest, their feet on the floor and their arms at a comfortable position intermediate the two. It may be envisaged that the mid- to upper-back is the part of the body in contact with the upper body rest.

In some embodiments the base may comprise a ground contacting platform portion, which portion may provide a floor for the feet, so as to aid in stabilising the device in use. Such platform portion may comprise a raised and lowered or textured upper surface, so as to provide friction for the user's feet in use.

It may be envisaged therefore that the user places their feet on the platform portion or the floor, grips the bar, and places their upper body on the upper body rest, leading to a predominantly flat body position, with the knees bent at right angles, wherein the user is enabled to do exercises relating hip movements to bar movements.

In this way a user may measure hip extension strength as the force applied upwards at the bar. Hip extension is an important action in sports for movement and has received interest when looking at the prevention of hamstring injuries.

The base may comprise a support frame, used to support the bar. This support frame may enable the bar to be coupled to the mechanism or may comprise the mechanism.

The base may comprise parts that are foldable or rotatably coupled to one another, so as to permit collapse, or movement from a first extended, in-use, configuration to a second collapsed, transport and storage, configuration.

The device may further comprise a closure means, which may be a locking closure means, which may be used to close or lock the device in one or more configuration.

The mechanism may comprise mechanical or electronic measurement. This measurement may be related to forces required or expended to move the bar.

For example in some embodiments the mechanism may comprise one or more load cells.

The mechanism may comprise an adjustable resistance level, so as to allow for resistance levels at the bar to be augmented or reduced. The mechanism for adjusting resistance may be envisaged to be electric, electronic or mechanical.

For example in some embodiments the mechanism may comprise a friction adjustment mechanism. In other embodiments the mechanism may comprise a weight adjustment mechanism, such as using pulleys and displaceable weights. In still further embodiments the mechanism may comprise resistance bands, which may be elastic, displaceable, adjustable or swappable.

The mechanism may comprise a control means, and/or a display means. The display means may be envisaged to provide information on the resistance measured by the mechanism. The control means may provide controls to provide resistance at the mechanism.

For example in some embodiments a load cell or strain gauge sensor may be attached to and stressed by a strap/cable/pulley system when the user performs an isometric exercise function and a display means electrically connected to the load cell or sensor is programmed to display stress on the cell as pounds, kilograms of lifted weight, torque or newtons

In some embodiments the resistance mechanism may comprise a return mechanism, wherein movement of the bar may be return-biased as well as resisted. For example the bar may be coupled to the base through elastic bands or straps, which increase resistance according to movement distance.

In some embodiments the upper body rest may be arranged to be capable of adjustment of height, orientation or horizontal spacing from the bar.

In some embodiments the bar support may be arranged to be capable of adjustment of height, orientation or horizontal spacing from the upper body rest.

In some embodiments the upper body rest may provide support for the user's upper body.

In some embodiments the device of the present invention can be utilised by a user with one or two legs, allowing the user and/or a coach to understand imbalances between legs, which is important for injury prevention.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the Figures in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an isometric view of an embodiment of the device of the present invention in a usage configuration;

FIG. 2 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment of the device as shown in FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3 shows an isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in FIG. 1 in a second usage configuration;

FIG. 4 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment of the device as shown in FIG. 3 ;

FIG. 5 shows an isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in FIG. 1 in a third usage configuration;

FIG. 6 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment of the device as shown in FIG. 3 ;

FIG. 7 shows an isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in FIG. 1 in a storage configuration;

FIG. 8 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment of the device as shown in FIG. 7 ;

FIG. 9 shows an isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in FIG. 1 in a fourth usage configuration;

FIG. 10 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment of the device as shown in FIG. 9 ;

FIG. 11 show isometric views of the embodiment of the device shown in FIG. 1 in a storage configuration;

FIG. 12 show isometric views of the embodiment of the device shown in FIG. 1 in a storage configuration with a case;

FIG. 13 shows an exploded isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 14 shows a reverse exploded isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in FIG. 1 ; and

FIG. 15 shows a sketch view of a second embodiment of the device according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to the figures there is shown an embodiment of the device for assessing the action of hip extension generally comprising a base, a upper body or back rest, a bar spaced horizontally from the back rest by a distance equivalent to a user's torso, the bar comprising a resistance mechanism, wherein the mechanism provides and measures resistance acting vertically at the bar.

In particular reference to the pictured embodiment the embodiment comprises base comprised of a rectangular platform portion 10, which has a distal handle 9. The platform portion 10 is hinged at hinges 4 with wheels 11 to a basal section 21 providing a height-adjustable support 2 for an upper body rest 1 which is elongate and extends laterally. The upper body rest may be envisaged to be padded.

The platform portion 10 is colinear with a support frame 8,5 supporting the bar. The support frame comprises a frame base comprising two parallel box members 8 extending between the platform portion 10 and wheels 11, and two upright stands 5, perpendicular the box members.

The stands 5 move horizontally on the box members 8, utilising pin and hole sliding adjustment. The bar 7 moves vertically on the stands 5 utilising pin and hole sliding and catches 6, which allow pivoting to engage them.

The platform portion is enabled to extend in and out of the box members 8.

Resistance is assessed, recorded and displayed at a display and control panel 27, which is provided to the distal face of the basal section 21, using two 5 kn load cells which may be connected to exterior electronic equipment using a wire, or wireless network connectivity.

The embodiment may be folded at the hinges 4, so as to allow easy transport on the wheels 11, and a cover 100 is provided as shown in FIGS. 12 , to prevent damage during storage.

Each end of the bar is connected to a robust strap 3 that runs back into the basal section 21. Load cells (not shown) are connected and attach to the straps to measure force exerted on the bar. Auto-retracting ratcheting mechanisms ensure strap tautness at all bar heights.

Pulleys at the base of the vertical bars (not shown) allow straps 3 to run smoothly from the horizontal bar to the load cells.

The power and data ports are located at the back of the base. The product also has an internal battery and can transmit data via Bluetooth.

The bar is able to move upwards due to flexure in the load cell, where the load cell converts this flexure into a voltage figure, which can be read by a processing means, such that force that the user can apply upwards may be measured.

The embodiment thereby enables coaches to assess and train hip extension strength at different knee and hip joint angles, which is useful to see how the hip extensor muscles function at different lengths when stretched or shortened under flexion of extension of the knees and hips.

The embodiment advantageously provides a valid and reliable measure of hip extension strength, with an adjustable setup to accommodate a wide range of user types.

In use the embodiment requires users to adopt a position reminiscent of a barbell hip thrust exercise.

The height of the bar 7 can be set by rotating the bar ends 6 and locking them into place.

The position of the bar 7 can be adjusted to accommodate different sized users.

The vertical stands 5 can be extended to give a maximum height of 650 mm and a minimum height of 100 mm.

The platform portion 10 slides back towards the bench basal section 21.

The embodiment is primarily made from extruded bar sections of aluminium that are bolted together as opposed to a welded frame made of steel, to reduce weight.

In order to use the user will release ratchet, extend straps 3, fasten the bar at correct height, retract the slack in the strap 3.

The second embodiment comprises a known hip thruster bench 41, a bar 47 with free weights, two 5 kn load cells (not shown) and straps 43 attachable to the bar at snap hook carabiners 45 control and display means 27, and pulleys 54 that are arranged to slide on box members from which the platform portion extends.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention as defined by the claims, in particular but not solely combination of features of described embodiments. 

1-11. (canceled)
 12. A device for hip extension assessment and training, comprising a base, an upper body rest, a bar spaced horizontally from the upper body rest by a distance equivalent to a user's torso, the bar being connected to a resistance mechanism, wherein the resistance mechanism provides and measures a force acting vertically on the bar.
 13. The device of claim 12, wherein the bar is arranged to be spaced horizontally at one of a variety of spacings from the upper body rest.
 14. The device of claim 12, wherein the bar is arranged to be spaced vertically at one of a variety of heights.
 15. The device of claim 12, wherein the base comprises a basal section supporting a rest.
 16. The device of claim 15, wherein the rest is arranged to be spaced on a basal section at one of a variety of heights.
 17. The device of claim 12, wherein the base comprises one or more load cells.
 18. The device of claim 12, wherein the base comprises a control means which is operable to control the resistance mechanism.
 19. The device of claim 18, further comprising wireless connectivity which is operable to relay signals to and from the control means.
 20. The device of claim 12, wherein the base comprises a hinge so as to allow the device to be folded from a first, in use, configuration to a second, storage and transport, configuration.
 21. The device of claim 12, wherein the base is fitted with lockable wheels.
 22. The device of claim 12, further comprising a case. 